Jamie Lee Curtis, a veteran actress and Oscar winner, has always had a soft spot for sitcoms, and her passion for the genre is evident in her latest venture, the NBC multi-camera comedy "Newlyweds". In this article, I will delve into Curtis' journey, her insights on the sitcom genre, and the potential resurgence of multi-camera comedies. I will also explore the broader implications of this trend and its impact on the entertainment industry.
A Passion for Sitcoms
Jamie Lee Curtis has always had a deep-rooted love for sitcoms. She recalls her agents being constantly bombarded with her requests to star in a sitcom, but fate had other plans. After wrapping a movie, ABC offered her a half-hour multi-camera pilot, and she embraced the opportunity with open arms. However, the network's decision to pass on the pilot initially left her disappointed. Little did she know that her persistence would pay off, and the pilot would be revived as "Anything But Love", a show that would become a beloved part of her career.
"I’m 68 years old, and every single year, all I’ve ever said to my agents is ‘I want to do a sitcom. All I want to do is a sitcom.’ It’s my favorite job, I love the whole part of it, every aspect of it, the dance with the cameras, the idea that you actually get to rehearse something and work it and learn a joke and play it. I just never got to do it, and so I just decided to basically kind of create my own job. I met Gail, and that’s why we are all here," she shared during a panel discussion for "Newlyweds".
The Appeal of Multi-Camera Comedies
Curtis' preference for multi-camera comedies is not just a coincidence. She believes that the format allows for a unique dynamic and a sense of community. "I’m telling you, I have begged my agents—and by the way, I did a single-camera, which I hate. It’s a good show, but doing it is just like doing a movie. You’ve got a camera crew, and nobody laughs. They are silent, and it’s awful, for me, awful. Single-camera comedy is not fun," she candidly admitted.
"Newlyweds" is a testament to her love for the multi-camera format. The show follows a free-spirited woman and a buttoned-up professor who marry after a whirlwind courtship. Curtis plays the professor's ex-wife, adding a layer of complexity to the narrative. The multi-camera setup allows for a lively and energetic atmosphere, which Curtis finds incredibly satisfying.
A Resurgence of Must-See TV
The revival of multi-camera comedies is not just a coincidence. NBC's decision to invest in "Newlyweds" and bring back Must-See TV is a strategic move. Gail Lerner, the show's writer and executive producer, credits NBC for "reinvesting in multi-cam and bringing back Must See TV".
"Jamie brought me this idea during the pandemic, so we’ve been really generating it for a very long time. And for a million various reasons, it was hibernating for a while, and a lot of people say my project died, but I just knew my project was hibernating," Lerner shared. "And then NBC called in November of 2025 and said, ‘Hey, let’s do that show,’ and we were off to the races."
The show's success is not just about the format; it's about the connection it fosters. "It’s also must-see free TV," Curtis emphasized. "You have to remember, a lot of people don’t have any money anymore, people are really struggling, and cable and all of the things you have to spend money on. This is network television, and I actually think this whole nostalgia of what sitcoms bring you into your house, things do come around."
The Impact of Sitcoms on Society
Curtis believes that sitcoms have a unique ability to bring people together. "I just think people want to have a good time in the comfort of their own home, and they want to turn on a network show and have laughs and have feelings. If that isn’t what sitcoms can do well, then I’m not sure what they do; but that’s what they do, and that’s why we love them," she said.
The show's success on a broadcast network like NBC is a testament to the power of sitcoms. "The reason we are here is because Happy’s Place became such a happy place and people wanted to go there that they needed to, like, pair it with a show about love and friendship," Curtis explained. "I just think people want to have a good time in the comfort of their own home, and they want to turn on a network show and have laughs and have feelings."
A Look into the Future
Curtis is optimistic about the future of multi-camera comedies. She believes that the genre is not just making a comeback but is here to stay. "My guess is then Thursdays are going to start being that, and the next thing you know, NBC is going to look like they were geniuses of bringing back the thing that real people really want, and they want it for free," she predicted.
"They want to turn their television on and have that level of entertainment and laughter and a good feeling about who we are as a society. And I just think that it’s exciting that we get to do, and we are grateful to NBC for doing it," she added.
In conclusion, Jamie Lee Curtis' passion for sitcoms and her involvement in "Newlyweds" are a testament to the enduring appeal of the genre. The show's success on NBC is a reminder that multi-camera comedies can still captivate audiences and bring people together. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, it is heartening to see the resurgence of a format that has brought so much joy to so many.
